Be Perfect as I am Perfect- Did Jesus ask the impossible?

I was over hearing a conversation between a mother and her daughter the other day.  They were talking about Jesus' comment to "be perfect, as your heavenly Father is  perfect." (Mt 5:48)  The daughter quickly attested to the fact that we are not Jesus, and therefore we cannot be perfect this side of heaven.  I think the daughter, and probably a number of believers, misunderstood what Christ was say- ing.  This verse is on the heels of a call to not retaliate, but rather to turn the other cheek and to love our enemies.  I think we sometimes have the notion that we have been called-out and set apart to be good, when Jesus requires God-like character. 
When we, through the Spirit of the living God, are able to express His nature on the outside, we are expressing His perfection; we are being perfect as He is perfect.  God has called us to a supernatural life, and as His nature rules in us, we will naturally display a life that far exceeds anything we could do in and of ourselves.  By His grace, we are to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect.  Are you allow- ing the perfection of God to shine through your life?

Life Giving Project for Life Gate

Each time a 5th Sunday rolls around, Life Gate prepares to go into the community with the purpose of serving alongside one another for the glory of God and the benefit of the nations.  This March, we were blessed to come alongside Strive to Thrive to help build 14 raised gardens.  There was much work to be done, but as a church family, God blessed us with strong backs and willing hearts.  This project was life-giving for at least two reasons:



1) The various tasks allowed for many generations to work together.  The possibilities for generational transfer were numerous.

 2) It also provided a unique opportunity to impact our community for the Kingdom.  This project allowed our church family to deepen our friendships with one another, but it also brought us in contact with new friends and fellow Believers that are a part of the Strive to Thrive program. 

The weather was sunny and cool for our project

The project included building the boxes, hauling dirt to fill them, and clearing away brush and weeds

Laying the tarp will prevent weeds from growing, but wood chips will be laid down over it for a beautiful walk way

Making new friends

View the news video about the LifeGate 5th Sunday Project for March 2015

To read more about Strive to Thrive, click here

To learn about Family Literacy Connection, click here 

To learn more about LifeGate Church, click here
lifegatechurchalbany@gmail.com